The University of Mumbai is set to break all previous records of foreign student enrolment this year. The department of student welfare has said that talks with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has resulted in the University being assured of being sanctioned at least 1,000 students. The ICCR funds around 2,400 foreign students every year.
“Over the past few years the foreign student enrolment of the MU has hovered around 180-200. While in 2010 there were 186 students, the enrolment in 2012 was 206,” said Mridul Nile, director, DSW. Elaborating on the reasons, he said foreign students tend to take admissions in universities that are recommended by other students from their country who have studied in India or are studying here.
“The MU has never been the destination for foreign students due to this reason. However, this year, the University has taken keen interest in this matter and has had talks with ICCR for being sanctioned foreign students who study in India on the scholarships provided by ICCR,” said Mr Nile.
In all, ICCR provides scholarships to about 2,400 foreign students under different scholarships every year. The scholarships are meant for students from different regions especially Africa, Middle East, the far East and Saarc nations. Students becoming eligible for the scholarships are then sanctioned seats in colleges and universities based on an arrangement with the said institution.
In Maharashtra, over the years, Pune has seen the largest in-flow of foreign students who either come through scholarships, exchange programs or take admissions directly. Last year nearly 7,000 students were enrolled in different colleges affiliated to the University of Pune.
In Mumbai, the most number of foreign students enrolled are mostly from African nations or from Afghanistan, Iran, Kuwait and countries in the Gulf.
“These students usually opt for professional courses like BMM, BMS, BSc IT and so on so that they get good jobs in their countries after they finish the course,” said Mr Nile.